47Whoops, sorry for not updating for a couple of days, I lost my files and had to rewrite this chapter! But I prevailed, and all is well x3
Oh, and thanks to those who reviewed, they all get virtual hugs! Thank you to dreamgirl555, Tigger66, My Never Ending Dream, Padfoot and Prongs Gurl, and hogwartsgirl52!
Remember to R&R, people who R&R get virtual hugs :D hehe
Disclaimer: Sadly, my name is not Rick Riordan. Therefore, I do not own the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series... :(
And so, without further adieu, I bring you the next chapter!
I Scream Bloody Murder
"Percy?" a feminine voice asked from above.
"Annabeth?" I murmured in confusion, peeking one eye opening slightly to see her face hovering over mine.
I could barely make out the familiar stormy-grey eyes and blonde hair since my vision was so blurry.
"Here," she said smiling, offering her hand out to me.
I stared at it questioningly then looked back at her.
She rolled her eyes and grabbed my wrist before yanking me up, making me realize that I had actually been horizontal all this time. Ahh, such confusion.
"S-sorry," I stuttered, grasping my head slightly the room tilted and whirled around me.
"You okay?" she inquired, worry laced in her voice. Her eyes searched mine to see if I was going to attempt to lie to her.
'No,' I wanted to say, but I sucked it up and nodded, absent-mindedly taking in my surroundings.
Annabeth sighed; if she had known I'd lied, she didn't say anything about it.
I firstly realized we weren't in my apartment anymore, grass was splayed across the land and trees sprouted randomly across the field we were standing in. It took a few seconds for me to realize I was actually standing in front of the Big House and that the mist seemed to be blocking most of it out; the memory of the Oracle spun across my head, the mummy breathing out green fog and asking for the question.
"I am the Oracle, speaker of the prophecies to Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python. Approach, Seeker, and ask." It whispered in my mind, its sightless eyes boring through my skull.
"Camp Half-Blood?" I murmured tiredly, half expecting the Oracle to answer in another riddle.
But my mind was silent as Annabeth looked over at me and nodded, "Yeah, we're at Camp Half-Blood. Come one, Chiron asked me to bring you to him as soon as you were awake because, well..." she gulped loudly and turned to look me in the eye.
"Percy, you've been out for three days."
I choked on air and looked up at her in disbelief, spluttered messily, "W-what! Three days, what happened?"
She opened her mouth to speak again, but memories began to swirl around my head almost immediately as the image of the chair sailed across my mind.
"Oh…" I interrupted before she started.
"Yeah, everyone's been real worried about you," she frowned before adding hastily, "Seaweed Brain."
I rolled my eyes as she began walking, "Wait up, Wise Girl."
She looked over her shoulder at me, not seeming to realize I hadn't walked in three days and that I might be having a bit of trouble with it, "Then hurry up."
I caught up warily, but paused as something fell out of my pocket, "Wait, Annabeth?"
She stopped this time, maybe it was the tone of my voice, but she ran to me, fast, "Why, what's wrong?"
I looked down and saw that what had fallen from my pocket was actually a jigsaw puzzle and an envelope.
I ignored her question and snatched up the jigsaw puzzle and envelope before I hastily ripped off the seal and pulled out a letter. On it read:
Dear Peter Johnson,
Apparently, it is essential for you to come back to camp now. So come.
Chiron says he has to explain things…
P.S. Chiron's sending Annabeth and the Cyclops thing over. Tell your mother that we're picking you up 10 minutes after you finally wake up.
Mr. D
"Very straight forward," I rolled my eyes, showing the letter to Annabeth.
"That's Mr. D for you," she laughed.
I froze though as I suddenly realized something that the letter had said, "Wait… a Cyclops thing? Tyson was with you?"
Annabeth grinned and nodded, "He isn't so bad after all. He was with me. Says he can't wait to see you, said something about fixing your shield as well before you got back, and for me to keep you busy!"
I smiled at the thought of Tyson; I had really missed him since he'd gone to Poseidon's underwater home making swords and such.
"Keep me busy? I need to go see him now, I've missed him so much!" I said, "Where is he?"
"Hey, you haven't seen me all summer neither!" she protested, "I don't even get a, 'Hello,' or a , 'Good to see you, Annabeth'." She rolled her eyes as she imitated my voice (very badly, might I add).
"Well then, hello, good to see you, Annabeth," I nodded curtly with a playful grin, mocking her imitation of me.
She snorted and slapped me on the arm, "Oh, shut up, Seaweed Brain."
I was about to retort, but a clip-clop sounded loudly, kind of like hooves on the sidewalk.
"Chiron?" I asked, whirling around to see that very centaur trotting towards us, beaming.
"Welcome back, Percy!" he exclaimed, patting me on the back and nearly knocking me off my feet in the process. Then, he paused and grimaced, "But it isn't good news for you to be here. I mean, better than your apartment, but still not good."
"Why? What's going on, Chiron?" I asked, glancing at Annabeth from the corner of my eye who was staring at Chiron expectantly.
"I suppose an explanation as to why I'm here is in order?" I suggested with a shrug.
"Well, yes, Percy. But not today - the sun is already setting and I'm afraid it is to be dark soon. Rest well tonight, you have a big day tomorrow," he said evasively, his usual affable voice suddenly more worried and nervous.
"Can't you just explain now? I mean, what was that chair about? And the Furys? And –" I paused for a second and my tone changed to one of disbelief, "And why did you take me out of school a week before graduation? This was my first year without getting expelled; my first! School was almost over!" I whined in complaint.
"Oh, trust me, you were bound to find a way to get expelled, whether we took you away or not," she smirked.
I shot her a silencing look and she smirked wider.
"I'm sorry, Percy, but I will explain everything tomorrow," Chiron said, adverting his gaze to the ground.
"Fine," I said simply, making Chiron look up in confusion, "Suit yourself, see you tomorrow!"
I was purely thinking about seeing my half-brother again as Chiron spoke again, "Uh, sure… you should head off to dinner though, goodbye, Percy."
I nodded and Annabeth waved as we followed the scent of burnt offerings to the Gods.
"Blue coke," I smiled, feeling a little at home as the cup filled with the clear blue liquid that looked suspiciously like a melted smurf, but I took a large swig of it anyway.
I shook my head slightly as I felt a slight tingling in my neck. I scratched at it and absent-mindedly looked up as Mr. D and Chiron arrived and stood in front of all the tables.
I nearly choked on my food as Mr. D stood up and stared unenthusiastically at everyone and announced boredly, "People… Chiron has forced - I mean, harassed... - no wait, INFORMED me that I have to announce to everyone that we have a visitor to the camp that Ares has brought… that certain somebody has suggested a brilliant idea for our camp… yay…" Mr. D said, looking at Chiron as he shot him angry looks.
Mr. D frowned even harder (if possible) and said joylessly, "Aphrodite's here. Whoop-dee-do."
"Wait, wait, wait... back up there... Aphrodite?" I exclaimed, standing up abruptly.
Everyone's eyes turned to me, so I sat down awkwardly.
Oh, I could only hope he meant the other Aphrodite. And I know what you're thinking, 'but there is no other Aphrodite'. Or is there? Haha, yes, yes, I invented her. She doesn't speak much. And she doesn't care much for me and Annabeth as a couple. Thinks rather poorly about love, but is rooting for Clarisse and Mr. D as a couple.
I smiled evilly, laughing maniacally in my mind.
Then, wouldn't you know it, I caught a glimpse of Aphrodite hanging off of Ares neck, her arms hooked around the back of his head lovingly. I gulped as she caught my gaze and winked, then motioned to Annabeth with her eyes.
I blushed, muttering quietly, "You have got to be kidding me..."
Mr. D ignored me and continued, "And wouldn't you know it, she's staying all summer and has suggested that there be a dance at the end of the summer."
Mr. D shuddered visibly, as if he had a childhood issue with music and dancing and was suffering from a horrible flashback.
"That's right!" Aphrodite beamed happily, pushing herself from Ares arms and standing menacingly (though I was sure it was supposed to be cute or something), winking secretly at me and making my eyes bulge and my cheeks blush several shades of red.
'In denial, Percy?' her words rung in my head.
My eyes shifted to the side, to stare at Athena's table, my eyes settling on Annabeth.
My eyes flickered away as Aphrodite stood before announcing joyfully, "It is mandatory for everyone to have a date! Unless you're younger than 11 years old. Soo, 12 and up can come!"
I almost cringed. The first part sounded more like a threat then an announcement, I noted warily.
"Are we allowed to just not go?" somebody asked from the Hepheastus table loudly.
Aphrodite's eyes turned red in rage and the sky darkened visibly, she stared at the boy furiously as if it were a crime not to go, "EVERYONE! MUST! GO!"
The guy who had said it squealed and melted down into his seat, his eyes wide as if he had just been scarred for life (quite like my ears after that loud shriek).
Aphrodite calmed down a little, the sky calmed slightly, and smiled and turned to me as if she hadn't just been interrupted. I returned the stare bluntly.
She scowled and rolled her eyes at me before rambling on about love and the dance and all of that kind of stuff while I gladly tuned out.
I was pulled out of my reverie as somebody in the crowd called out, "Mistletoe? It's summer!"
That grabbed my attention, I looked up at Aphrodite as she looked at me cynically, then smiled, as if finally relieved she'd got my attention, "Yes, yes, I know! You boys should be more excited about this, I'm really doing you a favour! But, well, you know what a sucker I am for romance and-"
I tuned out again. So, mistletoe in July?
I inwardly cringed at the thought of people from Sleep Country Canada bombarding the camp, screaming things like, "Christmas in July!" and, "Why buy a mattress anywhere else?" and other product placement techniques.
I shuddered visibly. I'd have to remember to search the camp –alone, might I add (I didn't really fancy getting stuck under the mistletoe with Grover, (("Nor with Annabeth!" I nearly screamed out loud so Aphrodite would get the point. Though I was pretty sure nobody would get what I was talking about and would probably throw me away in the Funny Farm with a straight jacket on.))) – for the mistletoe routes, so I could learn to avoid them.
When she stopped jabbering on and on, everyone chose their own food and scraped a small portion off their plates and into the pile. I smiled as I inhaled deeply, still secretly wondering how all those foods together could actually smell good as I pushed some food off of my plate while whispering, "Accept my offering, Poseidon"
While pondering on this, I suddenly felt the presence of the goddess of love behind me and spun around to face her with a disgruntled look on my face.
"What?" I demanded, angry that the goddess of love was still trailing me as I walked to my table.
She seemed to be reading my mind, for she simply said, "Still in denial, Percy?" before strutting away gracefully.
"Drama queen," I scowled after her before feeling a slight tap on my shoulder.
"In denial? What's up, Seaweed Brain?" came Annabeth's mocking voice from behind me.
"Ah, nothing, Wise Girl… just Aphrodite being Aphrodite," I said, my casual laugh probably coming of as more of a nervous chuckle.
"Annabeth!" somebody called from Athena's table, beckoning her back over.
Annabeth began walking back over to her table before looking over her shoulder, smiling and waving as she sat down and began to talk eagerly to her friends.
I sighed and sat down at my less inhabited table.
After eating, I sat there for a few seconds before boring myself to the point of shaking the salt shaker into my hand and blowing it away like fairy dust. I stood and began to make my way to the cabin, remembering that Tyson would be there, so I sped up a little bit. But by now, it was getting darker outside.
I shrugged it off and continued walking along the sandy beach before stepping into the water, the sea-spray splashing across my face as I waded through. I was ankle-high in the beach's water, the familiar coldness sending a feeling of comfort up my spine as my feet underneath stayed dry.
I noted boredly that the ocean was still a dark blue colour instead of the navy shade in the duration of the later night time; as I walked, I willed the tide to come in a little, so I was knee high in the murky water.
I smiled graciously. The water always made me feel better, and a lot better after this busy (if that's what you'd call it) day. The memory of the chair and the Furys sat just under my mind as I walked, the water just above my waist now.
I looked back and forth, noted quickly that no one was watching, and dove headfirst into the water. I allowed the water to entice me and draw me further into depths of the ocean.
Now I was in my element.
Schools of fish swam past, bumping into my head and letting out streams of bubbles as they moved on. Kelp was harmlessly moving with the soft current of the ocean, caressing my face lightly.
Ah, home.
But my enjoyment of the water was short-lived as my breath suddenly caught in my throat and I found that my toes were slowly getting wet.
I looked down and noticed that the water was suddenly working its way up my leg, vanquishing the dryness slowly. I coughed loudly and found it getting harder to breathe; I was sucking in small bits of salt water with each breath.
I kicked off against the sand on the sea-floor and began to spiral my way up higher and higher, trying to reach the surface of the water. I frowned as I realized my whole lower-half was wet and freezing cold.
I was so close now, only a few feet away, the moonlight showing through surface of the water and scattering its rays across the water top. However, the current had another idea in mind, and I unexpectedly swerved off course and was sucked farther into the ocean.
This definitely wasn't my doing.
Nor was it anything my father would do.
I shouted for help loudly under the water, but to no avail. There was nobody with me except for the sand and a few patches of coral and kelp that were lashing and reaching up at my feet greedily with sudden violence. The fish were all gone, they had swam off somewhere where the current could do less harm to them.
I was struggling to catch my breath now, so I attempted to reach the surface again, willing the water to work with me, to roll with the punches.
Finally, my head broke the surface and I was sucking in breaths like a fish on land, loud and wheezing breaths. But it was not to last, as a billowing wave crashed above my head, sending me spiralling back underneath. I caught a glimpse of the camp - it seemed like miles away now - before I was sucked back under.
Now I was soaking wet, miserable and angry. I willed the whole ocean to rise me above the water, to stand on and control the waves. Luckily, the water shakily rose from beneath me, but unfortunately, propelled me with too much strength. I was sent flying above the water closer to land. I landed with a splash, my arms flailing uselessly as I tried to stay above water.
In my mind's eye, I could picture my father looking at me with disapproval and tskking and tutting at me and saying, "Hey, now, is this how a son of mine should die? In the water? Tssk, tssk, m'boy, that's just shameful."
Speaking of my father, I prayed silently in my mind for him to help, 'DEAR GODS, HELP ME!'
"Help!" I wheezed aloud, still struggling with the water that kept attempting to tug me down further.
I had a hunch that it wasn't just the current pulling me down; it was something much stronger, and definitely older, maybe even older than Poseidon himself.
Tune in next time, to see if Percy Jackson survives this one (which he most likely will, 'cuz I mean, come one, what would a story be with no Percy?)